Does anyone rent out their camper?

[8IKERDAVE]

I'm considering a campervan in the new year. I imagine we will get away in it once a month (any less and it's not really worthwhile).

It did get me thinking though, is it worth renting it out on the down days? Seems daft to have it sat there doing nothing when it could be a potential income stream. I have a few concerns and wondered whether anyone has explored this route before and can help:

1) Where to advertise? I've seen there are a few agencies out there but presumably they're going to take a large chunk of the rental. However, if I'm spending a fortune advertising it every month it might be worth just letting an agency manage it.
2) Insurance - Again, would I need some form of self-drive policy to cover anyone over 25 or is it normal to expect people to cover themselves? I imagine again, an agency would cover this but I've never looked into it previously.
3) Misuse and damage. I guess with this one it will be a case of taking a fairly substantial deposit to cover such eventualities but there is a limit as to what people will be prepared to pay.
4) Breakdown cover - again, through an agency I would assume this is part of the package but if I was to go it alone I would need some form of breakdown cover which applies to the vehicle rather than the individual driver.
5) Anything else to consider? This was literally an idea that popped into my head this morning so I am sure I have missed something.

[POIDH]

I had friends who did this. The abuse and damage thier van received from renters was breathtaking....bodywork damage every week, including one couple who had reversed into something, scraped the side and rear ended a car in one week. Then there was the folk who left all the crockery and glasses on the table and drove off. One week all the items in the van - from crockery to duvet and pillows to lumi jacket and triangle were stolen. Another week they had baby st on the seats. Etc etc etc


Just don't do it.

[DirtyHands]

Don't do it! Unless you have a fleet of motorhomes and technicians to hand.

We have a hire fleet of motorhomes and campers where I work (motorhome dealership).

They get hammered, even where folks have tried to look after them they come back broken or damaged due to misunderstanding of how things work or just from being heavy handed.

Our rental fleet is about 8 motorhomes and 2 campers, almost every week we have to replace a set of wing mirrors. We also currently have 2 motorhomes awaiting body shop repairs for damaged caused from low bridges and trees.

[dhutch]

Potentially formally lending it friends and family is a middle ground that could foster a working solution.

But otherwise I am not at all surprised by the first two comments. If you want to holiday in a rental, sell the van and rent when you want one!

[8IKERDAVE]

Wow! It seems like this would be much more of a headache than a cheeky sideline based on the above. I guess the issue is that people aren't familiar with the size of them if they are used to a run of the mill car. That and seemingly a lack of respect!

[andrewcliffe]

If you set out to have a camper van hire company and can occassionally borrow a vehicle for a weekend away, then thats one thing.

If you're trying to earn a bit from your pride and joy when your not using it, that would be a disaster.

[LeighW]

8IKERDAVE said:

I guess the issue is that people aren't familiar with the size of them if they are used to a run of the mill car.

The issue is that many (most) people don't give a toss, because it's not theirs.

[toastyhamster]

My cousin lives North of York and has bought, had converted and started renting out a van this year. Very successful, only damage so far was a minor dent on the sliding door, they're struggling to get it repaired as it's constantly out being rented.
I rent a van (Nottingham) once a year for Silverstone, the guy I rent off started with one van from home, now has two stabled elsewhere and is converting a third. Hardly has any problems with crappy renters.

My it's locale that's an issue?

[dhutch]

LeighW said:

The issue is that many (most) people don't give a toss, because it's not theirs.

But also, compared to say ford focus or a holiday cottage, all the fittings etc are less failure and more fragile and its a big old thing to drive.

So even if you are trying to do a reasonable job of trying to do it right, the ratio of mishaps its going to be much higher.

[POIDH]

8IKERDAVE said:

Wow! It seems like this would be much more of a headache than a cheeky sideline based on the above. I guess the issue is that people aren't familiar with the size of them if they are used to a run of the mill car. That and seemingly a lack of respect!

Correct.

One of my inlaws has a Fiesta with every panel scraped and battered even though it is only 4 years old, all from manoeuvring in carparks, their own drive/yard area, etc. Finest bump is when she ignored reversing beepers as she could not see anything. Have a guess how her hire went with a reasonable size motorhome went around the NC500 on single track roads and small parking areas?

She was less upset by damaging the thing, and more upset by what it cost her and she thought it was 'unfair' as anyone hiring such a wagon should expect and factor in damage, as she had paid silly hire money for it...no she cannot connect the dots.

[Muzzer79]

dhutch said:

Potentially formally lending it friends and family is a middle ground that could foster a working solution.

Lending it to friends and family will just meant that you get 80% of the damage of a regular hire punter, but you won't get paid for it......

[ChocolateFrog]

We must be the only ones who take a camper back in a better state than we received it in.

Although we have broken the odd plate having forgotten it was drying on the side.

[missing the VR6]

We tried it with our motorhome via Gobooney, we did 2 rentals, one was OK but it did come back a bit grubby and with a few small marks on the table, the other was brilliant, came back in great condition. We decided not to bother as it we were only doing it to cover the storage fees and service costs.

Probably best if it's as a business, not your personal van.